We missed MUSH last year due to a busy work schedule. After reading all the sea mails, we've been looking forward to an opportunity to visit Alaska.

We are on ROAR II, so we are looking for something early 2008 with a good "bang for the buck". We're eyeing the May 16th San Francisco to Vancouver 11 night cruise. I know it's early and will be a bit cool in Alaska, but the timing and the price is great. The timing is great for us working stiffs since it takes advantage of 2 weekends AND Memorial Day! It's not often you can take an 11 day cruise and only take 7 vacation days.

Here's a link: http://www.bkrssc.com/08_MAR080516.htm

So, has anyone been on this early Alaskan cruise before? How bad is the weather? Are there any others out there who missed MUSH and would consider trekking off to Alaska with us.

One of the big bonuses of the cruise for this aviation junkie is that one of the excursions in Seattle is a tour of the Boeing plant!!

Yes, I look at this one every year and think the same thing. Perfect timing, long weekend here in Canada too. Price is right, with free air!

Just two downsides--I think there's a formal night on this one. And the cold. Do we want to leave some of the nicest weather we have in the late spring for the cold of Alaska, after coming out of the "big freeze". So I have the same questions.

We went on this cruise last year, leaving san francisco and ending in vancouver. we had glorious weather, just a couple of drizzles but nothing that interfered with our plans. we too were worried that being so early in the season the weather would be cold and wet but to the contrary, it was wonderful. the only problem was huge chunks of ice floating in the water as we started up tracy arm, we ended up having to turn back. our first trip to alaska was on the mariner the end of june, 2003. as we were leaving vancouver we were surprised to see so many of the ships crew on the top deck, taking pictures since there'd been so many cruises during the season already. we asked and were told that this had been the first time that the weather was sunny leaving vancouver and that's why so many were taking pictures! so we've cruised end of june and again the second week of may and both times have had incredibly good weather. we're also seriously considering the may 16th san francisco-vancouver cruise next year. we're just afraid that our good luck will run out, after all how many times can you cruise to alaska and have the glorious weather i mentioned at the beginning? :)

We did Alaska the end of July as it was actually quite warm. In talking with the locals, they say Spring and Fall offer the best weather with the least amount of rain. That's the best opportunity to see McKinley. Our next Alaska trip will be Spring or Fall.

I'd also like to do dog sledding, since we once had a sled dog. And don't think you can do that later in the summer.

We did Alaska 1st week of June the first time, and I would do it again earlier rather than later. Ketchikan is always rainy and it was actually a nicer spring rain the first cruise. Also things were greener and the mosquitos were fewer. Weather is iffy - just that part of the world - any time. You risk having ice issues earlier and you risk warmer weather later with major mosquito issues. Take your pick.

In Skagway during the first cruise of the season last year we did the helicoptor over the glaciars which then left us at the dog camp for sledding. We were told that the ice at the beginning was the best since over the weeks it would get mushy and they would have to relocate their camp often. It was a day full of sunshine while there, the view was incredible from the helicopter of the snow-topped mountains. of course there's always the possibility of a cloudy or rainy day when the copter wouldn't be able to get off the ground. normally dog-sledding is available at both juneau and skagway so if you're not able to do it because of weather at one, perhaps it'll be a beautiful day at the other!

Well, these responses are encourging regarding the weather. Now it's just time to crunch the numbers and make it work!!

Since we are also on ROAR II, Alan and I are looking for the same "bang for the buck," John. This looks like one to consider.

Here's an interesting website where you can compare Alaska weather to your own:

http://216.246.11.178/~alaska/weather/alaska_weather_planner.php

I crunched some preliminary numbers, using a bottom-level H cabin, and the SF-Van 11 day is about $150 per day cheaper than the subsequent 8-day cruise Van-Seward.

Aloha
Christina and I will join Trouper75 (Babs & Jim )on this years SF-Alaska cruise May 12. We will let you know how it went for us. This is our second cruise to Alaska and the weather was great but it was the middle of June. So we will see!

John & Christina

Well, they're still playing around with the fares on the website. I swear this morning this cruise said Free Air. Now it doesn't. Plus they have separated out Canada from the U.S. which is not to our advantage. Oh well, with this kind of trip, we'd have to do our own air I guess.

It looks like the free air was up on the rssc site by mistake. It's a 2 for 1 fare which according to Ngaire almost never includes free air on top of the already heavy discount. Ngaire confirmed that the prices up on the B&K site are correct.

I looked at that one - it says Pacific Coastal.

It doesn't go to Ketchikhan where you'd do the Island Wings tours, and you couldn't do Denali on it either since you end up back in Vancouver, if that were the plan. No Hubbard Glacier. There is the Misty Fjords trip available.

I did this cruise both in 2005 & 2006 and both times the weather was warm & sunny, usually didn't need jackets by 10:00. also, Prind Rupert, BC is a really nice port to visit. In 2006 Tracy Arm was too filled with ice, so the Captain took us to another glacier that's rarely visited and it was spectacular. Don't worry about a formal night, most men just wear a regular coat & tie on this one.
Jim

Thanks Jim, for pointing out the Prince Rupert stop. Seeing northern B.C. has always been a desire of mine, so that's a big advantage. Thanks for reassurance about formal night as well. We also stop in Seattle, so you never know, we might pop out and see Fred and Pat.

It looks like the big miss is the Hubbard.

It looks like we are going to be going to Alaska. We made on onboard booking on TAP and are trying to convince some friends to join us from San Fran to Vancouver. We are hoping that some of the TAPsters who didn't do MUSH and aren't going on CAMEL or the Greek B2B will consider joining us in Alaska.

We are going to Alaska on the August 1 Vancouver to Seward.

I'm still considering that cruise, but won't decide for a while. I am angsting big time about spring 2008, but will hold off booking for now. Sigh.